A pantry is an essential part of your kitchen. It is usually situated in a convenient area and ensures a harmonious flow of traffic in your kitchen, whether you are cooking or baking. The best space to have a pantry is located next to a sink or a refrigerator. But what if you have a smaller kitchen?
Can you place your pantry next to the oven?
You can place your pantry next to your oven. If you have limited space in your kitchen and build the pantry next to your oven, it is imperative to install an insulation board between the oven and the pantry. This board prevents heat from reaching and potentially spoiling your food.
It makes sense to place your pantry next to your oven because it is much easier to have them right next to you instead of having to walk to the other side of the kitchen to fetch something.
Although it is alright to have a pantry next to an oven, keeping a minimum distance of 3 inches (7.62 cm) between the two is important. Anything less than 3 inches can cause the heat from the stove or the oven to burn the pantry wall and heat the inside.
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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Having A Pantry Next To An Oven?
If you are thinking of renovating your kitchen, it is important to plan the layout properly. Whether your space is big or small, there are many different-sized pantries and locations you can place them.
If you decide to build your pantry next to your oven, you need to consider a few pros and cons before you proceed.
Pros
- All your ingredients are close to you when you bake or cook, so you don’t have to walk up and down the kitchen. This saves time and minimizes the level of traffic in the kitchen.
- Once you are done using the ingredients, you can immediately place it back into the pantry instead of keeping everything out until you are finished cooking or baking. This makes tidying the kitchen faster.
- You will have space to install more cupboards to store all your kitchenware without having too much clutter.
Cons
- You will constantly have grease and oil spatter on the wall of your pantry.
- The heat will damage the side of the pantry and would need to be replaced in the future.
- If you have a gas oven next to your pantry, there is a risk of the flames getting too close to the sidewall of your pantry and could potentially start a fire.
- The oven could cause heat to build up inside of the pantry, which could spoil your food.
If you have space in your kitchen area for multiple pantries and want to install one next to the oven, fill this pantry with oil, salt, pepper, vinegar, sauces, and all the things you use daily. Place the other items that you do not use too often in your other pantries.
This way, you won’t have to make unnecessary trips to the pantry if you only need oil or salt and pepper. Never store it right above the oven, as heat rises and can damage the entire pantry, including its contents.
If you have space for a walk-in pantry, make sure to build it next to the refrigerator or the sink.
Does A Pantry Need A Ventilation System?
You would think that there is no ventilation system needed in a pantry because there are mostly canned foods and other non-perishable items stored inside. This is not the case.
Even though you are storing bottled water, flour, pasta, beans, and other foods and beverages in your pantry that will not go off, you still need sufficient airflow and ventilation to prevent any moisture or heat from building up and causing bad odors, mold and attracting unwanted pests.
Can You Place An Oven Inside A Walk-In Pantry?
Nowadays, all different types of designs are accepted as normal. People have become much more creative with modern interior designs and décor. There are no rules except for following safety regulations.
So, if you were wondering if you can save more space in your kitchen by placing your oven inside the pantry, you need to consider the following first.
Ventilation
You will need to make sure that there is a proper ventilation system to get rid of heat and steam. If this is not done, your pantry will be too hot, and there will be too much moisture which will definitely cause your food to start molding.
You must install an extractor fan that leads outside to ensure all steam and heat are removed from the pantry inside.
Landing Space
If you have finished cooking or baking, you need to have a landing strip to place the hot dishes. If you don’t have one, you will need to build one next to your oven. Otherwise, you will have to walk from the pantry to the kitchen with pots and pans that can burn you.
Air Cooler
The heat inside the pantry will definitely shorten the food’s shelf-life if you do not control the temperatures. It is advised to have a cooling system installed so that you can adjust the temperature manually. A fan will not be enough to cool the pantry down.
Remove The Pantry Door
If you have placed your stove inside your pantry, you will find that the space is limited if you do not remove the pantry door. The oven also has a door, so constantly opening and closing both doors can be a problem for space. This will also provide better airflow.
How To Organize Your Pantry To Save Space
If you think of building a small pantry to save space in your kitchen, follow these helpful and practical organizing tips to make it even more convenient and user-friendly.
Let’s look at some of the things that you can do to save the space next to your oven to place something else that will make your life in the kitchen easier.
Labeling
Labelling your food is a wonderful way to organize your pantry. It prevents you from buying things you already have and helps you identify the ingredients in your containers. This way, you will tell the difference between cake flour and raising flour, or Jasmine and Basmati rice.
You can also label your food with dates so that you know if you can still use an item and if you should throw it away.
Storage Containers
To ensure that your goods stay fresher for longer, consider decanting them into air-tight containers. Label and date all your containers. Use containers that are space-savers. Instead of using round containers, use square ones instead. The square containers will allow you to fit much more items in your pantry.
Grouping
If you organize your pantry by placing sort with sort, it will add to your kitchen’s flow and efficiency. You will know where everything is, and you will know when it is time to restock your pantry.
Avoid Stocking Up On Sale Items
Everyone loves a good deal, and it can save you money on your grocery expenses if you purchase items that are on sale. This might feel like a win to you. However, keep in mind that you will clutter your pantry if you buy too many things at once.
This will make it difficult to keep track of what you do and do not have. If there is too much of one item, you might not even get to use it before it expires, and you will end up throwing it away.
Re-organize Your Pantry Once A Month
Take some time once a month by cleaning the shelves of your pantry. Re-group the items as you go along and check if any products have expired or if you need to use them soon. Place those items in front of the newer stock to remind you to use them first.
This is a perfect time to make a monthly grocery list, so keep a pen and paper ready to make a note of all the items you need to restock.
Add Spice Racks
If you have a cupboard pantry, add spice racks to the inside of the doors. This system separates your spices from the rest of your food and allows easier access. It also creates more space on the shelves inside the pantry for more goods.
Conclusion
If you are planning to build your pantry next to your oven, a refrigerator, a sink, or you are planning on placing the oven inside a walk-in pantry; there is no reason to wonder if it would work or not.
The only important thing is safety. The level of convenience you desire depends on you and what you do with the space to make it practical.
The only real problem with having a pantry next to an oven is the heat, so if you take special precautions to have the correct distance between the two and you have an insulation board on the pantry wall, you are set to proceed.
Now you can continue with your planning and always remember, safety first!